Black acara
Cichlasoma bimaculatum
Also known as Two-spot cichlid, Port cichlid, Acara bimaculata
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–82°F
- 20–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 7.1 in
- 18 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Northeastern South America across the Orinoco, the Guianas, and the upper Rio Branco, in slow streams, ponds, and canals.
Overview
A pair needs a tank of at least 150 liters at 20 to 28 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5. Provide wood, rocks, and sturdy plants. Feed pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. It is hardy and easy but territorial when breeding, so give tankmates room.
In the wild
The black acara comes from northeastern South America, across the Orinoco, the Guianas, and the upper Rio Branco. It lives in slow streams, ponds, and canals, often in poor or crowded conditions. It is exceptionally hardy and adaptable. A simple tank with wood, plants, and open space works fine.
Good to know
Cichlasoma bimaculatum was described by Linnaeus in 1758 and is the type species of the genus Cichlasoma. It reaches around 18 cm and is named for two dark spots, one at mid-body and one on the tail base. Because it anchors the genus, it kept the Cichlasoma name while most relatives were moved elsewhere.
Did you know
It has been established as an invasive species in Florida since the 1960s, thanks to its tolerance of a wide range of conditions.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Black acara is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Celebes halfbeak
Nomorhamphus liemi
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Chinese elongated zebra loach
Homatula potanini
Freshwater5.3 in (13.5 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)61–75°F (16–24°C)
Noboli distichodus
Distichodus noboli
Freshwater7.5 in (19 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Bandit cichlid
Guianacara geayi
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Debauwi cat
Pareutropius debauwi
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Black acara need?
A Black acara needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Black acara need?
A Black acara is comfortable at 68–82°F (20–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Black acara get?
An adult Black acara reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).
Related species
6.3 in (16 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Amazon port cichlid
Cichlasoma amazonarum
6.3 in (16 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
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Pterophyllum altum
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7.1 in (18 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Electric blue hap
Sciaenochromis fryeri
7.1 in (18 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)75 gal (284 L)82–88°F (28–31°C)Heckel discus
Symphysodon discus
7.1 in (18 cm) · 75 gal (284 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Jackson's utaka
Copadichromis jacksoni
7.1 in (18 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
7.5 in (19 cm)55 gal (210 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Alluaud's haplo
Astatoreochromis alluaudi
7.5 in (19 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)